Best of News

Best of News

CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION

MARK RALSTON

Chinese commuters wear face masks as they cross a central business district road during heavy air pollution in Beijing on January 30, 2013. Beijing urged residents to stay indoors as emergency measures were rolled out aimed at countering a heavy cloud of smog blanketing the Chinese capital and swathes of the country. The municipal government said children, the elderly and people sensitive to poor air quality should remain indoors, after authorities announced the closure of 103 factories and ordered 30 percent of official cars off the road. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON

Chinese commuters wear face masks as they cross a central business district road during heavy air pollution in Beijing on January 30, 2013. Beijing urged residents to stay indoors as emergency measures were rolled out aimed at countering a heavy cloud of smog blanketing the Chinese capital and swathes of the country. The municipal government said children, the elderly and people sensitive to poor air quality should remain indoors, after authorities announced the closure of 103 factories and ordered 30 percent of official cars off the road. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON

President Obama returns to the White House after a weekend at Camp David

Pool

U.S. President Barack Obama smiles after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015 in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

U.S. President Barack Obama smiles after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015 in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

Firefighters look out for spot fires during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Firefighters look out for spot fires during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter sprays water on a flare up during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter sprays water on a flare up during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Plumas Brophy Fire District firefighters watch for spot fires a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Plumas Brophy Fire District firefighters watch for spot fires a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter throws a flare into dry brush during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter throws a flare into dry brush during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Inmate firefighters monitor a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Inmate firefighters monitor a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter monitors a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter monitors a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Inmate firefighters march along highway 20 as they monitor a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Inmate firefighters march along highway 20 as they monitor a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Inmate firefighters monitor a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Inmate firefighters monitor a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Fire burns through dry brush during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

Fire burns through dry brush during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter leads a group of inmate firefighters during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

A Cal Fire firefighter leads a group of inmate firefighters during a burn operation to head off the Rocky Fire on August 2, 2015 near Clearlake, California. Over 1,900 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire that has burned over 46,000 acres since it started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire is currently five percent contained and has destroyed at least 14 homes.

President Obama returns to the White House after a weekend at Camp David

Pool

U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the press after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015, in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the press after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015, in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

President Obama returns to the White House after a weekend at Camp David

Pool

U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the press after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015, in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the press after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015, in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

President Obama returns to the White House after a weekend at Camp David

Pool

U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the press after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015, in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the press after stepping off Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn as he returns from a weekend at Camp David to the White House, August 2, 2015, in Washington, DC. A number of old friends joined the president, who celebrates his 54th birthday later in the week, at the Presidential Retreat.

Chinese commuters wear face masks as they cross a central business... News PhotoAdult,Air Pollution,Beijing,Business,China - East Asia,Close-Up,Cold Temperature,Commuter,Cycling,District,Downtown,Environmental Damage,Environmental Issues,Fog,Horizontal,Human Body Part,Human Face,Illustration,Illustration Technique,Men,Pollution,Protective Mask - Workwear,Road,Smog,Wind,WinterPhotographer MARK RALSTONCollection: AFP 2013 AFPChinese commuters wear face masks as they cross a central business district road during heavy air pollution in Beijing on January 30, 2013. Beijing urged residents to stay indoors as emergency measures were rolled out aimed at countering a heavy cloud of smog blanketing the Chinese capital and swathes of the country. The municipal government said children, the elderly and people sensitive to poor air quality should remain indoors, after authorities announced the closure of 103 factories and ordered 30 percent of official cars off the road. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)